Kernel use-after-free via stale CIFS tcon reuse
Published Sep 11, 2026 · Updated Sep 11, 2026
Use-after-free in the Linux 6.18 CIFS client allows local users to dereference freed kernel memory during a failed file-size update. In cifs_file_set_size(), a failed handle-based set_file_size() releases the file handle but leaves its borrowed tcon non-null, so set_path_size() reuses freed memory. Reachability requires a writable CIFS handle, a failed size-change RPC, and reconnection or session teardown that removes the final tlink reference.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in the Linux 6.18 CIFS client allows local users to dereference freed kernel memory during a failed file-size update. In cifs_file_set_size(), a failed handle-based set_file_size() releases the file handle but leaves its borrowed tcon non-null, so set_path_size() reuses freed memory. Reachability requires a writable CIFS handle, a failed size-change RPC, and reconnection or session teardown that removes the final tlink reference.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-89641
- Published
- Sep 11, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 11, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=110fee6b9bb58a5c50047fc2594d415f741b591e <4bea15d9c7683218f57b8c1f5f0aa75cab76af8d
- Affected versionversion=110fee6b9bb58a5c50047fc2594d415f741b591e <4f18c9e7ee464aaae5cd9fccdb943b3fcb4655d4
- Affected versionversion=110fee6b9bb58a5c50047fc2594d415f741b591e <b96db32fed8dfb2478d7c208f89bf383beed1535
- Affected versionversion=6.18
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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